Building structures

ABSTRACT

A building structure comprising: a support module; and one or more room modules, the or each room module being attachable to and cantilevered from the support module. The room modules are independently attached to the support module to allow independent removal or addition of room modules.

THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in or relating to buildingstructures and more particularly to a modular building structure andmethod of producing the same.

The construction of any building such as a house, factory or the liketypically involves the laying of a foundation, such as the establishmentof footings to define the floor plan and room arrangement, the buildingof structural walls and the provision of a roof structure. A singlebuilding contractor would usually undertake all of this work althoughsome aspects may be contracted out either by the contractor or by theprincipal. Once this work is completed, or in parallel therewith, othercontractors will normally be involved in the building work such asplumbers, electricians, joiners, plasterers and decorators. It cantherefore be appreciated that not only is this work being carried out inone location, but also that a great many contractors are required toproduce a single building. This results in a complicated process sincethere are typically many lines of communication necessary and there isoften significant overlap and conflict in both the working areasrequired for each trade and in the responsibility for various jobs.

Prefabricated building methods can be employed when it is desirable tomove either all or a proportion of the work off-site. These methodsbroadly fall into two categories: pre-fabricated components andpre-fabricated ‘volumetric’ modules. The use of either technique can beapplied to a greater or lesser extent in any building depending on therelative importance of factors such as programme time, location, costand quality. In addition, the degree to which the component or‘volumetric’ module is itself prefabricated will be affected by similarfactors.

Examples of such components may range from doors and windows to floorand wall panels. Examples of ‘volumetric’ modules may range frombathroom modules used in buildings such as hotels to fully finishedhouses.

The application of all of the above techniques results however in thebuilding of a complete structure which, once completed, is substantiallyset in its size, design and configuration.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved buildingstructure and method of producing the same which offers a buildinghaving a flexible size, design and configuration. It is a further objectto provide a building having rooms which are replaceable and cantherefore be readily upgraded to a higher specification or theirfunctionality changed.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a buildingstructure comprising: a support module; and a plurality of enclosed roommodules, each room module being independently attachable to andcantilevered from the support module.

Advantageously, the support module supports one room module adjacentanother, the room modules being horizontally spaced apart from oneanother.

Preferably, each room module is spaced apart from the or each adjoiningroom module.

Conveniently, a cladding is provided around the building structure.

Advantageously, the cladding is attached to and supported by afoundation.

Preferably, the foundation is formed from more than one element.

Conveniently, the cladding is attached to and supported by a roofstructure.

Advantageously, the cladding is attached to and supported by at leastone room module.

Preferably, the cladding comprises a plurality of demountable panels.

Conveniently, the support module supports a roof structure which coversthe support module and each room module, the roof structure being spacedapart from the or each adjoining room module.

Advantageously, the roof structure includes a room module.

Preferably, a foundation structure underlies the support module, thefoundation structure being spaced apart from the or each adjoining roommodule.

Conveniently, the foundation structure has a main portion upon which thesupport module sits and one or more stabilising portions extending fromthe main portion.

Advantageously, the main portion is a foundation slab.

Preferably, the or each stabilising portion underlies one or more roommodules and is spaced apart from the or each adjoining room module.

Conveniently, the stabilising portion comprises a frame of foundationmaterial having an outer perimeter, the centre of the frame being avoid.

Advantageously, the foundation structure is manufactured as a precastconcrete structure.

Preferably, one or more piles extend from the foundation structure intothe underlying ground.

Conveniently, a room module is formed from panels which are linkedtogether without a supporting frame.

Advantageously, a room module comprises a chassis defining a volume, thechassis having attachment means to co-operate with correspondingattachment means provided on a chassis of the support module.

Preferably, panels are provided between the members of the chassis toprovide side walls, a floor and a ceiling.

Conveniently, the chassis is constructed from one or more upper andlower members connected rigidly by upright members but not braced bydiagonal members, the rigidity of the chassis being secured by rigidityat the chassis joints.

Advantageously, a room module includes one or more internal partitionsto define one or more rooms in each room module.

Preferably, a room module includes at least one door aperture.

Conveniently, a room module includes at least one window aperture.

Advantageously, the support module comprises a load bearing chassishaving attachment means to co-operate with corresponding attachmentmeans provided on a chassis of a room module.

Preferably, the attachment means on the support module comprises anarray of spaced apart attachment locations provided along a chassismember of the support module, each of which attachment locations issuitable for co-operation with and attachment to correspondingattachment means provided on a chassis of a room module, the position ofattachment of the room module with respect to the support module beingvariable by attaching the room module at different locations along thechassis member of the support module.

Conveniently, the attachment means comprise a plurality of holes formedin the chassis of the support module and the room module, the holesbeing alignable to receive therethrough a locking bolt to secure theroom module to the support module.

Advantageously, the support module includes a circulation passage havingaccess to each room module attached thereto.

Preferably, a further support module is attachable on top of the supportmodule to provide a further storey to the building structure.

Conveniently, a further support module is attachable adjacent thesupport module to provide a plurality of support members in side by sideengagement.

Advantageously, the services for the building are principally routedthrough the support module, thereby facilitating the connection ofservices to each room module attached to or attachable to the supportmodule.

Preferably, each room module has services fitted in preparation forconnection to corresponding services on the support module.

Conveniently, the or each support module has demountable wall panels,the wall panels being blank panels for walls of the support module whichdo not require an aperture therein and wall panels having an aperturetherein for walls of the support module which do require an aperturetherein, an aperture in a wall panel of the support module beingalignable with an aperture in a wall panel of a room module.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an enclosed room modulefor independent cantilevered attachment to a support module.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of buildinga building structure comprising the steps of: presenting a plurality ofenclosed room modules for independent cantilevered attachment to asupport module; and attaching each room module to the support module forsupport thereby.

Advantageously, the step of attaching each room module to the supportmodule comprises the steps of: attaching one or more guide rails to thesupport module; locating the room module on the guide rail; driving theroom module along the guide rail into engagement with the supportmodule; and attaching the room module to the support module.

Preferably, the step of attaching each room module to the support modulecomprises the steps of: attaching one or more guide rails to the supportmodule; locating the room module on the guide rail; detaching the roommodule from the support module; and driving the room module along theguide rail away from the support module.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a kit for building abuilding structure, comprising: a support module; and a plurality ofenclosed room modules, each room module being independently attachableto the support module such that it is cantilevered therefrom.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood,embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view through a building embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a foundation for use with thebuilding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the foundation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view through a room module for use withthe building of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged detail of a portion of the room module of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view through a building embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a part of a building embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ground floor of the building of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the first floor of the building of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a building embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a plurality of buildings embodying the presentinvention arranged in a terrace configuration;

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a room module being fitted to asupport module;

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic detail of a rack and pinion drive from FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an arrangement to enable the attachmentof a room module to a support module;

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a support module attached to tworoom modules;

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of three room modules attached torespective support modules;

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view through a building structureembodying the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view through another building structureembodying the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a house 1 embodying the present invention comprisesfour basic components: a foundation 2 for providing a solid base andbearing the load of the building; two support modules 3 comprising themain load bearing elements of the building itself; a plurality of roommodules 4 comprising the main living spaces in the building; and a roofstructure 5.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the foundation 2 comprises two rectangularprecast concrete foundation slabs 6 which when positioned as showncreate a foundation 2 having voids 7 in each corner to create a centralmain portion 8 of cruciform configuration. The support module 3 sits onone arm 9 of the cruciform and the other arm 10 of the cruciformprovides a stabilising function. The frames of the voids 7 in thefoundation slabs also provide a stabilising function.

Precast concrete piles 11, for example, are driven into the groundeither before the foundation slab 2 is positioned or through holesprovided in the foundation slab 2 at each of the corners of the voids 7.

The support module comprises a chassis or frame defining a substantiallycuboid volume. The chassis is preferably manufactured from steel butother conventional load bearing materials can be used. The chassis iscreated from a plurality of upright and horizontal members which may becross braced if required. Joints between the members which make up thechassis are rigid. The support module has panels, some of which may bedemountable, which provide the walls, floor and ceiling.

The wall panels are blank panels for walls of the support module whichdo not afford access to the outside and whatever room modules areattached to the support module. The wall panels which do afford accessto the outside or to room modules have a door aperture therein.

The outer surfaces of the support module are fitted with attachmentmeans to allow room modules to be attached thereto. In a preferredexample, the attachment means on the support module comprises a seriesof spaced apart arrays of holes provided in a horizontally orientedchassis member toward the ceiling of the support module. A second set ofsuch attachment means are provided along a horizontally oriented chassismember toward the floor of the support module. Each of the arrays ofholes is suitable for co-operation with and attachment to acorresponding array of holes provided on a chassis of a room module, theposition of attachment of the room module with respect to the supportmodule also being variable by attaching the room module at differentlocations along the chassis member of the support module. It isenvisaged that either the position of the attachment means may bevariable or that further attachment means may be provided intermediateor above or below the existing attachment means to allow flexibility ofdesign.

In the present example, the building 1 includes two support modules 3stacked on top of one another. These support modules 3, 3′ may beassembled on-site, or off-site for delivery to the site. Access to theupper support module 3′ is provided by a flight of stairs in the lowersupport module 3. Support modules may, however, be ganged together in avariety of configurations, thereby allowing a number of possibledifferent floor plans for a building.

Although the support module 3 is described here as defining asubstantially cuboid volume, the support module 3 may also be planar,having substantially no volume and being, for example, a supporting wallor face.

As previously explained, a plurality of room modules 4 are attachable toeach of the support modules 3. These room modules 4 may be assembledon-site, or off-site for delivery to the site. Referring to FIG. 4, anexemplary room module 4 comprises a steel chassis 12 defining asubstantially cuboid volume. The chassis is constructed from a pluralityof upper and lower members connected rigidly by upright members but notbraced by diagonal members, the rigidity of the chassis being secured byrigidity at the chassis joints.

Panels are provided between the structural members of the chassis 12 toprovide side walls 13, a floor 14 and a ceiling 15, thereby enclosingthe substantially cuboid volume and creating a room. In the example,each of the outer sides of the panels is covered by a single steel sheet16. The sheet 16 is attached along each of its free edges to arespective structural member of the chassis 12. To increase the rigidityof the structure and to facilitate attachment of the sheet 16 to theside walls 13, the floor 14 and the ceiling 15, a fold 16A of each sheet16 covering a panel extends inwardly between each structural member ofthe chassis 12 and the adjacent panel. The fold 16A is shown in detailin FIG. 4A. The panels can be formed from any appropriate material orcombination of materials, for example steel, glass, timber orplasterboard.

Since the room module 4 is constructed as a series of unbraced framesthere is no need for cross bracing (although cross bracing may beprovided if required), and therefore the walls 13 of the room module 4are free from structural obstructions and doors and windows can belocated where desired. Appropriate apertures are provided in the panelsat the locations of doors and windows. As an alternative to a roommodule having a chassis or some other framework it is envisaged that theroom module may be manufactured from a number of panels which, whenlinked, provide structural stability to the room module.

One end of each room module 4 is suitable for attachment to a supportmodule 3. The room module chassis 12 has attachment means to co-operatewith the corresponding attachment means provided on the chassis of thesupport module 3. Preferably, the chassis carries four plates, one ineach corner of the room module at the end for attachment to the supportmodule. Referring to FIG. 14, each of the plates has a 2×1 matrix ofholes 22 therein which can be aligned with the holes 23, 23A formed inthe chassis of the support module. The room module 4 can therefore bedocked with the support module 3 and attached thereto by locking boltspassing through the co-operating holes 22, 23(A). This arrangement isalso shown schematically in FIG. 1 by the attachment means identified byreference numerals 17.

The room modules 4 are therefore independently attached to the supportmodules 3. Importantly, the room modules 4 are cantilevered from thesupport modules 3. Additionally, each room module is spaced apart fromits horizontally or vertically neighbouring room module. Further, theroom modules 4 on the ground floor are spaced apart from the foundation2. Thus, each of the room modules 4 is entirely independent of the otherroom modules 4.

The room modules 4 may, however, be combined with one another, and thewall, floor or ceiling panels removed where the room modules 4 adjoin tocreate a single large room. Room modules 4 combined in this manner wouldstill be independently removable, and would not be supported by oneanother. If preferred, not all of each panel need be removed so that,for example, only a doorway between the two room modules 4 may beprovided.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 5, The roof structure 5 is envisaged as aplurality of ‘volumetric’ modules in the form of either a flat roof asin FIG. 5 or a pitched roof as shown in FIG. 1. The roof size, design,configuration and finish can take a number of diverse forms which, apartfrom affording protection from the weather if required, can be inkeeping with the surroundings or which can add to the aesthetic appealof the building. The roof structure 5 is supported solely by the supportmodule 3′ and spans over the room modules cantilevered from either sideof the support modules so as to provide cover and protection therefore.Importantly, the room modules 4 on the top floor of the building 1adjacent the roof structure 5 are spaced apart from the roof structure5.

If the design of the roof allows, as does the pitched roof in theexample of FIG. 1, it is possible to house a further room module 4 inthe roof structure 5.

Whilst the roof structure 5 can provide a certain amount of protectionfrom weather, more protection may be required especially if the buildingis not located in a temperate climate. Turning to FIG. 5, in thisexample a cladding or ‘rainscreen’ material 18 is provided around thebuilding, in particular the room modules 4. In a similar manner to theroof structure 5 the cladding can again take a number of diverse formswhich can be in keeping with the surroundings or which can add to theaesthetic appeal of the building. For example, the cladding 18 can be,as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of demountable panels which are boltedeach other, to the foundation 2, to the roof structure 5 and to the roommodules 4. The panels may be of glass, timber, metal or any othersuitable form of protective or aesthetic cladding. In the example, thecladding 18 is supported by the foundation 2, which extends sufficientlyfar from the support module 3 to do so.

It should be noted that the cladding 18 need not assist in thesupporting of the room modules 4 which are cantilevered from and fullysupported by the support modules 3. The securing, preferably by bolting,of the cladding 18 to the room modules 4 may, however, serve to transmitwind loads experienced by the cladding 18 back to the load bearingsupport modules 3. This arrangement also ensures that any apertures onthe outward facing sides of the room modules 4 are aligned withcorresponding apertures formed in the cladding 18.

It is recognised that an external framework comprising the cladding orin addition to the cladding could be provided to give additional supportto the free end of each room module. The room modules would then beprovided as a propped cantilever structure from the support module. Asan example, this may be desirable when the ‘live’ load of a room module(i.e. when it is in use by the inhabitants of the building) is likely tobe significantly greater than the ‘dead’ load of the room module.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the building which comprises a singlesupport module 3, a room module 4 and a spacer module 19. The spacermodule 19 is simply a cross-braced framework which can be used to fill‘voids’ in the building thereby maintaining the desired line of thecladding, while providing a structure to transfer any wind loads back tothe support module 3.

It is envisaged that the support modules will provide the principalroute for all the services in the building to the room modules. Theservices would include (but are not limited to) water, gas, electricity,telecommunications, air-conditioning, heating ducts or central heating,vacuum pressure, computer network cabling and video and audio feeds. Theservices are hidden behind the demountable wall panels and in the voidsbetween any adjoining modules. Preferably, the services will beavailable to each room module attachable to a support module, serviceson the support module being connectable to co-operating services on aroom module. Further, it is envisaged that the incoming services will beprovided to the building through the support module 3. For example, thesupplies of electricity, water or gas would be located in or connectedto the ground floor support module 3.

Buildings embodying the present invention particularly lend themselvesto being readily and quickly constructed with little skill beingrequired during final assembly on site. It is envisaged that all of themodules comprising a building will be able to be bought as stand aloneitems from separate, specialist suppliers. Each of the room modules isintended to be a fully finished room having the appropriate fixtures andfittings such as power points, light fittings, windows, doors, kitchenunits, bathroom suites, toilets, sinks and the like and alsoincorporating furniture where appropriate.

Thus, referring to the specific example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, onecould purchase two support modules 3, a kitchen room module 4, a livingroom module 4, a dining room module 4, three bedroom room modules 4, anda bathroom room module 4 all directly from separate, specialistsuppliers to construct a basic three bedroom house. Assuming that afoundation 2 is in place, the building is readily assembled by boltingthe room modules to the support modules. An appropriate roof structureand cladding could then be added if desired. In temperate regions, onlya minimal, if any, roof structure and cladding may be required.

If the homeowner could not afford or did not need two of the bedrooms,for example bedrooms 2 and 3, then the homeowner could purchase a singlespacer module 19 to take the place of the two bedroom room modules 4.When the home owner can afford or requires further bedrooms, then, sincethe spacer module 19 is independently cantilevered from the supportmodule 3, it can simply be removed and replaced by two bedroom roommodules. Thus, the building is so adaptable that the occupier of a houseembodying the invention can simply decide to add, remove or rearrangerooms as and when required. Similarly, if the bathroom is to beupgraded, then it is envisaged that the old bathroom room module wouldsimply be exchanged for a higher specification version.

If a further floor is required to the building, then a further supportmodule 3 can be purchased, the roof structure 5 removed and the newsupport module 3 stacked on the existing support modules 3. Additionalroom modules 4 can then be attached to the new storey and the roofstructure 5 replaced. One could even envisage room modules on one sideof a building being exchanged with those on the other side of thebuilding simply to change the aspect of a particular room.

Thus, it can be appreciated that housing embodying the present inventioncan be designed to meet the needs of a variety of households and bereadily capable of conversion or expansion.

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of one floor of another building embodying theinvention. In this example, the support module 3 is octagonal in form.Of course, other polygonal room or support modules may be used.

FIG. 10 shows a way in which houses embodying the invention can bealigned with one another, so as to provide a terrace of buildings, byaligning the support modules 3 of the respective buildings adjacent toone another.

It is clearly desirable to remove or insert room modules 4 in anexisting building without disturbing or requiring the removal of eitherhorizontally or vertically adjacent room modules. It is envisaged thatbuildings embodying the present invention will incorporate room moduleswhich are spaced apart from one another, the roof structure and thefoundation so as to be easily and independently removable. Aparticularly preferred method of attaching a room module 4 to (orremoving from) a support module is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. A pair ofrigid steel rails 20 each fitted with an orthogonally arranged plate 21at one end are provided. The plates are similar to those found at theattachment end of a room module 4. Each rail 20 is attached by its plate21 to the support module 4 at a position immediately above the intendedsite of one of the upper corners of the room module 4 to be attached.FIG. 14 schematically shows the attachment holes 23 provided for theplates 21 on the support module 3.

The row of arrays of holes 23 are intended to be locked to correspondingattachment means provided on the top corners of the room modules 4. Therow of arrays of holes 23A at the base of the support module 3 areintended to be locked to corresponding attachment means provided on thebottom corners of the room modules 4.

When in position, the rails 20 extend past the line 18A of the cladding18 so as to allow a room module to be held under the rails 20 outsidethe perimeter of the building.

A room module is connected to the rails, and a crane or other convenientlifting means is attached to the rails and used to lift the room module4. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 13, the rails 20 carry a rack 24 and thefour ceiling corners of the room module 4 are each connected to a pinionwheel 25. The pinion wheels 25 on the corners of the room module areheld by the racks 24 so as to allow the room module 4, attached to thepinion wheels 25 by vertical supports 28, to be driven along underneaththe rails 20 toward the support module 3 in a controlled manner by therack and pinion drive. The driving force to turn the pinion wheels 25 isprovided by respective individual motors 29 which each drive arespective pinion wheel 25 and are mounted thereto. The room module 4can therefore be presented to the support module 3 with the attachmentplates on the room module aligning with their respective arrays of holes23, 23A on the support module 3 for locking thereto. Once the roommodule 4 has been secured to the support module 3, the rails 2Q can bereleased from the support module 3 and removed by the crane.

For added strength and rigidity, the rails may be cross-braced near theend furthest from the support module by a pair of hinged diagonal struts26, as shown in FIG. 11, which allow the pair of rails to be spacedapart by a desired distance equivalent to the width of the relevant roommodule 4.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of attaching a room module 4,the rails 20 are first located on the pinion wheels 25 and the entireassembly of rails 20 and room module 4 is craned into position to allowthe rails 20 to be attached to the support module 3 for subsequentpresentation of the room module 4 to the support module 3. This methodremoves the need for the room module 4 to be engaged with the rails 20when the rails 20 are already secured to the support module.

It is however recognised that, when constructing a new building andgiven sufficient access, it could be advantageous to present the roommodule 4 to the support module 3 using traditional lifting methods suchas (but not limited to) a crane 27 or forklift truck.

Since the room modules 4 are spaced apart from one another, bothvertically and horizontally, from the roof structure 5 and from thefoundation 2, the above described method can be used to remove or addroom modules 4 irrespective of their location around the support module3. Room modules 4 can thus be added or removed in any order as the roommodules are entirely independent of one another.

FIG. 14 shows room modules 4 attached to the chassis of a support module3. The horizontal members at the top and bottom of the chassis of thesupport module 3 contain rows of arrays of holes 23, 23A as previouslymentioned. Securing elements 32 are connected to or form part of thecorners of the upper and lower members of the chassis of the roommodules 4. Each securing element 32 comprises two plates securedtogether at right angles to one another and braced by triangular plates.The securing elements 32 present the face of one of the plates to thechassis of the adjacent support module 3, which plate contains the 2×1array of holes 22. The room module 4 is attached to the support module 3by a bolt passing through each of the 2×1 array of holes 22 and throughone of the holes 23, 23A in the chassis 12 of the support module 3.

FIG. 15 shows a plan view of two room modules 4 attached to a supportmodule 3 in the manner described in relation to FIG. 14. Co-operatingapertures in the wall and surrounding panels of the support module andthe adjacent wall of the room module provide a doorway between thesupport module 3 and the room module 4. Cover plates 30 are provided toline the doorway, bridging the space between the room module 4 and thesupport module 3. The room module 4 is provided with a door 31 which isattached with hinges to the door frame to open inwards into the roommodule 4.

FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of three support modules 3 stacked on topof one another. Room modules are attached to the right hand side of eachof the support modules 3 in the manner described above, with securingelements 32 fixing the chassis of the room modules 4 to those of thesupport modules 3.

The envelope may also have additional properties such as thermal andacoustic properties which would depend on the type of building and itslocation. It is envisaged that the cladding may be spaced apart from theroom modules, to create an enclosed space around the room modules, asshown in FIGS. 17 and 18. For example, this configuration could besuitable for prisons, where the room modules 4 could form individualcells and the enclosed space formed by the cladding 18 would be asecure, enclosed area in which prisoners and staff could circulate. Morethan one gang of support modules 3, each carrying several ‘cell’ roommodules, could be enclosed within the same envelope. It is alsoenvisaged that there would be sufficient space within the claddingstructure to allow room modules 4 to be added or removed within thecladding structure without needing the cladding structure to bedismantled if so desired.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show two configurations of a prison layout. FIG. 17involves a single cladding enveloping two gangs of support modules 3,each with their own room modules 4. Sufficient space is provided withinthe cladding to remove any of the room modules 4 into the central spacebetween the two pairs of structures, and a room module 4 is shown inphantom to demonstrate this. FIG. 18 shows a prison layout in which thecladding 18 only surrounds one support module 3, but extends beyond theedge of the room modules attached thereto to provide a sizeable enclosedspace. In this example, the cladding would need to be removed if a roommodule 4 is to be extracted from within the cladding.

Thus, buildings embodying the invention are extremely versatile having aflexible size, design and configuration. Further, such buildings haverooms which are replaceable and can therefore be readily upgraded to ahigher specification or their functionality changed. Buildings embodyingthe invention present an entirely new concept in the supply andproduction of buildings, allowing the basic building parts to be readilysourced and easily constructed in a modular manner without the need toinvolve many different tradesmen and skilled labourers on-site in theproduction of a building.

It is to be appreciated that the claimed invention is not limited in itsapplication to residential housing but is equally applicable to otherbuilding structures such as hospitals, hotels, offices, shops and thelike.

1. A building structure comprising: a support module having attachmentmeans for attaching a room module to support module; and a plurality ofenclosed room modules each of which is independently attachable to andcantilevered from the support module; each attachment means on thesupport module comprising an array of spaced apart attachment locationsprovided along a chassis member of the support module, each of whichattachment locations being suitable for co-operation with and attachmentto corresponding attachment means provided on a room chassis of a roommodule, the position of attachment of the room module with respect tothe support module being variable by attaching the room module atdifferent locations along the chassis member of the support module.
 2. Abuilding structure according to claim 1, wherein the support modulesupports one room module adjacent another, the room modules beinghorizontally spaced apart from one another.
 3. A building structureaccording to claim 1, wherein each room module is spaced apart from anadjoining room module.
 4. A building structure according to claim 1,wherein a cladding is provided around the building structure.
 5. Abuilding structure according to claim 4, wherein the cladding isattached to and supported by a foundation.
 6. A building structureaccording to claim 4, wherein the cladding is attached to and supportedby a roof structure.
 7. A building structure according to claim 4,wherein the cladding is attached to and supported by at least one roommodule.
 8. A building structure according to claim 4, wherein thecladding comprises a plurality of demountable panels.
 9. A buildingstructure according to claim 1, wherein the support module supports aroof structure which covers the support module and each room module, theroof structure being spaced apart from the support and room modules. 10.A building structure according to claim 9, wherein the roof structureincludes a room module.
 11. A building structure according to claim 1,wherein a foundation structure underlies the support module, thefoundation structure being spaced apart from the room modules and has amain portion upon which the support module sits and one or morestabilizing portions extending from the main portion, wherein thefoundation structure is manufactured as a precast concrete structure.12. A building structure according to claim 11, wherein the or eachstabilizing portion underlies one or more room modules and is spacedapart from the room modules and comprises a frame of foundation materialhaving an outer perimeter, the center of the frame being a void.
 13. Abuilding structure according to claim 11, wherein one or more pilesextend from the foundation structure into the underlying ground.
 14. Abuilding structure according to claim 1, wherein the room chassisdefines a volume, and wherein the room chassis is constructed from oneor more upper and lower members connected rigidly by upright members butnot braced by diagonal members, the rigidity of the room chassis beingsecured by rigidity at the chassis joints, and wherein panels areprovided between the members of the room chassis to provide side walls,a floor and a ceiling.
 15. A building structure according to claim 1,wherein a room module includes one or more internal partitions to defineone or more rooms in each room module.
 16. A building structureaccording to claim 1, wherein a room module includes at least one dooraperture and/or at least one window aperture.
 17. A building structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprise a pluralityof holes formed in the support chassis of the support module and theroom module, the holes being alignable to receive therethrough a lockingbolt to secure the room module to the support module.
 18. A buildingstructure according to claim 1, wherein the support module includes acirculation passage having access to each room module attached thereto.19. A building structure according to claim 1, wherein a further supportmodule is attachable on top the support module to provide a furtherstory to the building structure.
 20. A building structure according toclaim 1, wherein a further support module is attachable adjacent thesupport module to provide a plurality of support members in side by sideengagement.
 21. A building structure according to claim 1, wherein theservices for the building are principally routed through the supportmodule, thereby facilitating the connection of services to each roommodule attached to or attachable to the support module, and wherein eachroom module has services fitted in preparation for connection tocorresponding services on the support module.
 22. A building structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the support module has demountable wallpanels, the wall panels being blank panels for walls of the supportmodule which do not require an aperture therein and wall panels havingan aperture therein for walls of the support module which do require anaperture therein, an aperture in a wall panel of the support modulebeing alignable with an aperture in a wall panel of a room module.
 23. Akit for building a building structure, comprising: a support modulehaving attachment means for attaching a room module to the supportmodule; and a plurality of enclosed room modules, each room module beingindependently attachable to the support module such that it iscantilevered therefrom, and each attachment means on the support modulecomprising an array of spaced apart attachment locations provided alonga chassis member of the support module, each of which attachmentlocations being suitable for co-operation with and attachment tocorresponding attachment means provided on a room chassis of a roommodule, the position of attachment of the room module with respect tothe support module being variable by attaching the room module atdifferent locations along the chassis member of the support module. 24.The structure of claim 1 wherein the attachment means functions to locktogether a room module and the support module.
 25. The structure ofclaim 1 wherein the attachment means functions to bolt together a roommodule and the support module.